Sarah Lewis

Sarah Lewis is the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Humanities and Associate Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. She is an art and cultural historian whose work bridges academia, public discourse, and social justice. Based at the Barker Center on Harvard's campus, she has established herself as a leading voice on the relationship between visual culture and American society.

• Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences
• Department of Humanities
• Department of African and African American Studies

Lewis focuses on a central question: what is the role of art for justice in American society? Her research examines how visual culture intersects with race, citizenship, and democracy in the United States. She pioneered the course Vision and Justice: The Art of Race and American Citizenship, part of Harvard's core curriculum, and teaches condensed versions at public libraries nationwide. Her work explores how artistic expression shapes civic engagement and social change.

Lewis founded Vision & Justice, a catalytic civic initiative that generates original research and programs revealing the foundational role of art and culture for equity and justice in America. This initiative includes the Harvard course, the landmark Vision & Justice Convening, and the Vision & Justice Book Series launched in partnership with Aperture.

• Art History
• Visual Culture
• Race and American Citizenship
• Photography Studies
• Creativity and Failure

Her publications and speaking engagements demonstrate consistent focus on how visual representation affects social justice. Her TED talk on the power of 'near wins' has received over 3 million views, and she has spoken at venues ranging from the UN General Assembly to the CIA. Her work connects historical analysis with contemporary social issues, particularly regarding race and visual representation in America.

• Honorary Degree from Pratt Institute
• Infinity Award
• Andrew Carnegie Fellowship
• Cullman Fellowship (NYPL)
• Freedom Scholar Award (ASALH)
• Arthur Danto/ASA Prize (APA)
• Photography Network Book Prize

Lewis has received grants from prestigious organizations including the Ford Foundation, the Whiting Foundation, and the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers at the New York Public Library. She currently serves on the boards of Thames & Hudson Inc., Creative Time, and Civil War History journal, with past board service including the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and Harvard Design Press. Her work extends beyond traditional academia through public programming, media commentary, and community engagement initiatives that bring scholarly insights to broader audiences.